A local author who explored the history of the state’s gunpowder mills in a recent book will be speaking to the Windham Historical Society May 26.

For almost 80 years, through most of the 19th century, one of the most thriving, yet dangerous local industries, shared by the towns of Windham and Gorham, was the Gambo gunpowder mills. About 25 percent of the military gunpowder used by Union forces during the Civil War originated from the Gambo mills. One disastrous byproduct of the manufacturing process was the all-too-regular explosion, which claimed 46 workers, over the life of the mills.

This part of Windham’s history has been chronicled in the book “Gunpowder Mills of Maine” by Dr. Maurice Whitten of Gorham, who will be speaking at 7 p.m. May 26 at the Little Meetinghouse, next to Advance Auto on Route 302 in North Windham. His talk and slide presentation will cover the powder mills of Maine, with special emphasis on the Gambo site. All are welcome. Whitten will sell and sign copies of his book following the program. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome.

On a recent historical site tour, Walter Lunt, Vice President of Windham Historical Society stands on one of the remnants of the Oriental Powder Mill on the Windham-Gorham line, explaining the 80 year history of this dangerous industry. On May 26, the Society presents a public program on this topic. For more information, call 655-3421.